If Bobby Petrino leaves for the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University’s next football coach might be a familiar face.

WKU offensive coordinator and U of L alum Jeff Brohm is expected to be a top candidate to replace Petrino if the latter to Louisville as head coach. If Brohm is promoted, it will be his first head coaching job.

The former Trinity High School quarterback has been viewed as WKU’s probable head-coach-in-waiting since Petrino was hired in December 2012. Many expected Petrino’s stint with the Hilltoppers to be as short as one season, and Brohm’s connections to the state make him an attractive candidate.

According to a USA Today report, WKU athletic director Todd Stewart met with Brohm on Tuesday as a contingency plan in case Petrino bolted. Brohm taking over the Hilltoppers would help keep some sense of continuity.

Stewart could move quickly. A year ago he hired Petrino two days after former coach Willie Taggart was officially introduced as South Florida’s coach.

For Brohm, 42, it could finally mean a chance to run his own program after being a longtime assistant. After starring for Trinity and U of L, Brohm played for five teams in the NFL.

He began his coaching career in 2004 as a quarterbacks coach under Petrino at U of L. In 2007 he was promoted to assistant head coach when Steve Kragthorpe was hired. The following season he was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator.

In 2009, with the Cardinals struggling, Kragthorpe took over play-calling, leading to Brohm being forced out. He went onto become the quarterbacks coach at Florida Atlantic (2009) and Illinois (2010-11). He was UAB’s offensive coordinator in 2012 before reuniting with Petrino at WKU.

“He adds so much to our creativity of the offense,” Petrino said of Brohm in 2013. “It’s the same read for the QB but maybe six or seven different ways — whether that’s a flip with the tight end or a motion with the receiver or a shift by the back. It’s difficult on the defenses.”

In 2013 Brohm said he has benefited from working under such coaches as Howard Schnellenberger and Petrino. Asked how he has progressed as a coach, he said: “You have to put in a lot of time and effort. You have to learn your craft every day.”

This past season WKU (8-4, 4-4 Sun Belt) set a school record for victories as an FBS member. Though Petrino called the plays on game day — as he always has as a head coach — Brohm played a significant role in designing the offense.

The Hilltoppers set school records for total yards (5,502), total yards per game (458.5), yards per play (6.3), yards per carry (5.0), rushing yards per game (196.8), passing yards per game (261.7), passing first downs (141) and completion percentage (.653).

Junior quarterback Brandon Doughty set school single-season records for completion percentage (.658) and completions (29) and the single-game record for passing yards (387).

Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ.